Two arrested after attempted robbery, shooting near Colusa Casino

Two Colusa residents were arrested after authorities say they tried to kill a man last week at the Colusa Rancheria, just outside of Colusa Casino property.

Colusa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the casino at about 8:50 PM on Feb. 6 after receiving a report of an adult male who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office and scanner traffic from that night. Colusa County Sheriff’s Office detectives and the Colusa County Task Force were also called out to the scene for aid.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the man was shot on the Colusa Rancheria, just outside the southern end of the casino property, before driving a short distance to the casino itself and calling 911. The man, who authorities have declined to identify over concerns for his safety, was taken to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville and was in stable condition as of last Wednesday.

Investigators obtained a description of the suspect and the suspect’s truck while Sheriff’s Office personnel, Task Force agents, Colusa Police officers and California Highway Patrol officers set up a perimeter around the area. A CHP helicopter was called in to assist, and located a vehicle matching the description at a residence northwest of the casino. After a short foot pursuit, the Colusa County Special Operations and Response Team arrested the suspect, 33-year-old Ysidro Chico Arismendez, on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault with a firearm, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a controlled substance.

Twenty-year-old Shantrice Nicole Moon-Gomez was also located at the residence and taken into custody. She was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, fear as an element in a robbery, assault with a firearm, and criminal conspiracy.

The pair were arraigned in the Colusa County Superior Court on Friday afternoon. During their arraignment, Colusa County District Attorney Matthew Beauchamp informed Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson that he may seek a sentence enhancement for Arismendez under California Penal Code Section 12022.53(D), which calls for an “additional and consecutive term of imprisonment… for 25 years to life” in cases where a person who, in the commission of a specified felony, “personally and intentionally discharges a firearm and proximately causes great bodily injury… or death, to any person other than an accomplice.”

Arismendez is being charged with second degree attempted murder and attempted second degree robbery, as well as three special allegations for each of those crimes. He is also being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

A visibly distraught Arismendez threw his head back and appeared to fight back tears when he was informed of the charges against him and the potential sentence he could be facing. Beauchamp asked that, given the serious nature of the allegations against him, Arismendez be held without bail.

Moon-Gomez was arraigned on a charge of attempted second degree robbery, in addition to a special allegation under California Penal Code Section 12022(D), which applies “when is person who is not personally armed with a firearm who, (knows) that another principal is personally armed with a firearm, (and) is a principal in the commission of (a specified) offense or attempted offense.” The special allegation could result in an additional and consecutive prison term of one, two, or three years. Thompson set Moon-Gomez’s bail at $100,000. According to the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, she remained in custody as of Monday evening.

Both Moon-Gomez and Arismendez said that they would be hiring their own attorneys. They are due to appear in the Colusa County Superior Court on Feb. 21 at 8:30 AM for appearance of counsel and entry of plea. ■

Brian Pearson is the Managing Editor & Reporter for the Williams Pioneer Review. Brian joined the Williams Pioneer Review in June 2016 and is committed to bringing hyperlocal news to its readers. A few of his projects include reporting on local government and the newly feature sports page. To contact Brian about this article, or for future articles, please email him at brian@colusacountynews.net

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